Lunging and biting

[Newtothis]

Hi everyone,

I’m pretty new to rabbits as I haven’t had one since I was a Child myself (more experienced with large animals like horses). We bought 2 Netherlands dwarf babies 4 weeks ago (one male one female).
They have been handled most days by myself and occasionally by my 6 year old (supervised as she is quite frightened of them and their sharp nails), but in the past week, the male seems to have become very aggressive and has bitten my husband.

I wasn’t sure whether it was because I put a new hay rack in to the hutch? But he has started to look like he’s trying to mount the female now too – well creeping up behind her, then she runs away!

I have been lucky and had not experienced this as yet, but tonight when I put them back in to the hutch after being in their run (I put the male in first), when I put the Female back in he lunged at her and at me? I said NO loudly, and he did grunt too. I am presuming that this is because his hormones are kicking in and I have him booked for the ‘operation’ this week, but wanted to see if anyone had any advice for me in the meantime (I’m hoping the operation resolves this)

Many thanks

New to this ?

[Azerane]

Yes they are going through puberty and their hormones are kicking in. You will need to separate the male and female, not only for their safety because they can have terrible fights once puberty hits, but also so that the female doesn’t get pregnant which he is probably trying to accomplish. Rabbits can be fertile from as early as 10-12 weeks of age and bucks after being neutered can still remain fertile for up to six weeks after their operation. In addition, your female may also get very territorial towards your male and yourselves, do you intend on having her spayed as well? I would highly recommend it, uterine cancer is common in females.

After he is neutered, his behaviour may get worse for a while, this is known as the post-neuter craze. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s something to be aware of if it does. But after 6 weeks he should have calmed down well. Some of his behaviour may remain, but far reduced from the way it was. Once you have your female spayed as well, 6 weeks after she is done you start bonding them properly in neutral territory. Separating them now is very important, because avoiding fights will make it easier to bond them down the track.

[Newtothis]

Thank you very much ?
Yes, I plan to have her neutered too, but vet said to wait until she is 6 months. I did ask vet about splitting them up, as I was concerned about him being with her after the op in case she accidentally injured him, but she said to leave them together ? it’s all very confusing – horses are much easier ? x

[Newtothis]

Thank you ?

[tobyluv]

Welcome to Binky Bunny! Your rabbits should definitely be separated now – not housed together or allowed out at the same time for play and exercise. It only takes a few seconds for them to mate and have a pregnancy occur. Or for a fight and injuries to happen. They will have to take turns with their out of cage time. You can keep their cages or pens in the same room, just not directly touching. Rabbits have even been known to mate through cage bars. Then as Azerane said, in a few months, after the female has been spayed and a few weeks have passed, you can start the bonding process.

Here are 2 good articles on bonding:

http://rabbit.org/faq-bonding-multiple-rabbits/

https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

Your vet doesn’t sound like she is very familiar with rabbit behavior and the consequences of putting a recently neutered male with an unspayed female.

[Newtothis]

Too thank you. I will have to split the hutch and leave one upstairs and one downstairs (it’s a massive 2 tier hutch for 2 dwarf rabbits ?
They are both from the same litter and have Ben great so far, but the lunge last night worried me a bit! The female always thumps when anyone approaches the hutch and the male was fine and happy again this morning – hormones are very strange things aren’t they ? x

[Azerane]

Splitting the hutch sounds like a good idea, while it may not progress past lunging, you never know when it can escalate, or when the female may get pregnant

Yes, hormones can be crazy and frustrating.

[Author]

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